Part 135 / 145 Blog


Part 135 Startups – Certification and FAA Notice N 8900.687 

Are you in in the FAA’s queue for the part 135 certification process? If you are reading FAA Notice N 8900.687 and have questions, we have help available. If you’re working on the certification readiness checklist, we can help. While preparing to meet with your FAA inspectors and begin the Certification Services Oversight Process (CSOP), there are a number of items to prepare: Part 135 – Single Pilot or Single Pilot in Command (PIC) (as Applicable) 8400-6, Preapplication Statement of Intent You have probably already submitted this document, but you should retain a copy of it for reference during meetings […]


How to write an MEL (part 3)

This post is the third in a series of posts that cover the process for developing an MEL. Click here for the start page for this topic. MEL Front-End Section The first section of the MEL contains several necessary pieces of information. These first pages are often given too little attention during the development of an MEL, which can lead to difficulty getting the document approved. Careful attention to detail here can ensure that the MEL is approved easily and that employees who use the MEL are provided with the information they need to use the MEL effectively. The basic […]


How to Write an MEL (part 2)

This post is the second in a series of posts that cover the process for developing an MEL. Click here for the start page for this topic.There are, in most cases, three sections to an MEL. There can be more or less, depending on whether you combine things together, but we will assume that you follow the basic format as explained below: Administration Section I consider the first part of the MEL to be the administration section. Why “admin”? Well, this is not an official FAA term, but the term does serve to describe the basic boilerplate and control pages […]


How to Write a Minimum Equipment List (part 1)

This post is the first in a series of posts that cover the process for developing an MEL. Minimum equipment lists are one of the more difficult documents to develop since the FAA guidance for MELs is somewhat vague in terms of the details and individual FSDOs/inspectors can have varying preferences for how an MEL is written. Read the recommended documents below thoroughly, and be prepared to ask some questions of your FAA inspectors. The basic steps for developing an MEL for you company involve downloading the FAA’s MASTER Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) and developing your company-specific MEL from that […]


Part 145 manuals now available.

After substantial research and development, the Repair Station / Quality Control Manual, the Training Program, and Statement of Compliance are finished. Contact us for work samples and more information. The manual has been developed to align with the most recent version of the FAA SAS questions, as listed below. This is a 46-page list of questions condensed down from approximately 150 pages if printed from the FAA website. SAS DCTs for Part 145 Certification 1.1.6 Safety Programs1.4.1 Personnel Records1.4.2 Certificate Requirements1.4.3 Manuals1.4.4 Quality Control System4.1.4 Training and Qualifications4.2.6 Technical Data4.2.7 Air Carrier and Air Operator Requirements4.3.7 Work Away from Station4.4.6 […]


SAS Updates, Spring 2020

Having had several new projects starting up recently, it was time to take a look at the updated SAS DCTs. [Click here to go to the latest DCTs] Overall the changes were not significant. A few additions of questions, and some minor rewording. One thing that has been a noticeable change from the first versions of the SAS checklists is that they have become more finely-tuned and some of the less important questions have been edited out. It also seems the SAS team has spent some time getting the questions grouped better by actual DCT number. The first versions of […]